Honda Motor Co. said it will recall about 374,000 vehicles to fix a possible electrical problem that could cause their airbag systems to malfunction.

The car maker said the new recall affects about 318,000 Honda Odyssey minivans from the 2003 and 2004 model years, and 56,000 Acura MDX sport-utility vehicles from 2003. Electrical interference could cause the vehicles’ supplemental restraint systems, or SRS, to inflate the airbags when there is no reason to do so.

The case could contribute to general uncertainty among drivers regarding how long they should expect airbag systems to last as their cars age. While safety groups have tested airbags on cars that are up to 20 years old, this recall and others suggest some airbags might need maintenance as they get older. Read More »

Ford Motor Co.’s traditional full-size sedans may be out of production, but they are still popular in police, taxi and limousine fleets, and among drivers who simply like big, roomy rear-wheel-drive cars. Now many of them will have to be checked and possibly repaired under a safety recall.

In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ford said it is recalling certain Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis and Lincoln Town Cars from the 2005 to 2011 model years because their steering mechanisms could fail because of corrosion. The recall includes about 355,000 cars, Ford said. Read More »

Two weeks ago, actress and singer Patti LuPone grabbed a cell phone out of the hand of an audience member who was texting during a performance of her current play, "Shows for Days." The bold move led to an outpouring of support from fans fed up with glowing screens. Ms. LuPone gives us her five rules of theater etiquette.